JUPITER, Fla. — The Nationals didn't sign Brad Lidge to be their closer, but they did sign him believing he could handle the role if needed. Which, with Drew Storen likely to open the season on the disabled list with elbow inflammation, now appears to be the case.

Lidge, owner of 223 career big-league saves with the Astros and Phillies, insists he's ready for the challenge.

"First and foremost, we all want Drew to get back as fast as possible," he said. "We all know he's the closer. … Obviously I'd be happy to have that role. I still feel in my mind when I'm healthy that's something I love to do, and I'm very happy to do it. I definitely would love to have an opportunity to do that."

Manager Davey Johnson has said he'll use either Lidge or Henry Rodriguez in the ninth inning until Storen returns. (He was scheduled to resume a throwing program today and believes he won't need much time to get himself game-ready, but he'll probably need to miss at leastRead more »

DC Wonk- Indeed.One of the best bullpens in MLB, I believe.Lidge can easily close in place of Storen. Rodriguez as well. I'm guessing Mark's topics about the bullpen don't get many posts because everyone knows how awesome the bullpen is.

There's talk in the Chicago media that Marlon Byrd may be headed to the Nationals. The guy's 34, going on 35, and I don't know why the Nats would even be interested. Just play Ankiel until Harper comes up!

Marlon Byrd is right-handed. I would have preferred Bourgeois who kills LH pitching but Byrd could be the RH platoon they are looking for.Once Morse is back Werth is your 34 year old Byrd. Stop now. If you keep in mind that professional hitter DeRosa also plays the outfield and is right handed? Its likely Tyler Moore could be ready soon and Marerro is coming back so … Your BIG WEAKNESS IS LEFT HANDED or a dearth thereof of left handed hitters. Thus Harper, Brown and in the future Goodwin, perhaps Skole …Unless a miracle happens and Ankiel, Bernadina suddenly get it …

Eric Byrnes has consistently drank Nats Koolaid, since the beginning of ST.He's so animated, I'm thinking that he should be borrowing some of ALR's Ritalin. Fun to listen and watch though, and a pretty bright guy when it comes to baseball.

Shhhh Wang is still the 5th starter and the way that guy works he puts most of the rotation to shame … his recovery nothing short of amazing. He'll be back in April … and then what Lannan fans? Lannan can't pitch in relief? AAAA John Lannan.

They also missed Detwiler as a lefty in the bullpen.He'll be kept on a starter's schedule only able to pitch every five days. As will Wang. Gorzelanny wants to pitch as often as needed … What does that tell you? Do you folks need the Mighty Thor to throw some runes into a fire and send you smoke signals?John Lannan and his 5 million salary won't be there past May if management has any say …

And Mitch Williams also objected to exactly the right things in Bowa's silly summary "analysis". You can't be more oblivious than Bowa's giving the Nats' rotation and bullpen a 3 (out of 5), and giving the lineup and defense the same 3. The latter two are fair — though hopefully defense could get to 4 over the summer, we'd be fortunate to have an average hitting lineup, which is presumably what 3 represents.But to say that Stras' innings limit pulls the whole rotation down to a 3, and that Storen's elbow issue does the same for the bullpen, is just flat idiotic.

Agree on Burnett. It wasn't a bad rap through July or so — he was burn-it-up with leads and ties. But once he shifted his position on the rubber to throw at hitters (especially lefties) at a sharper angle, he was back to his old self.

StanK does it again! Back as an owner w/ a new plan. $2 billion at 3% is $60 million a year. Obviously they aren't borrowing the whole $2 billion but how do you make enough to meet all expenses plus the interest payments?As Darren Rovell tweeted, could be McCourt II

Steady Eddie- Yeah, Bowa actually shocked me a bit by giving both the rotation and bullpen a 3/5. Though he did say the Nats would finish 3rd.The Nats rotation is a clear 4, and the bullpen a definite 5.

I just feel he gets a bad rap that's allHe and Slaten were the two worst relievers statistically last year. That says a lot given all that were tried. The claim is he improved toward the end … I guess we'll see.Gorzelanny was more effective and if Davey uses Gorzo in that role he might just be better.

I can just see StanK now, urging All Those Padres fans to "come on up I-5 and see your Padres play our Dodgers. And don't forget, Giant fans, it's just a short eight-hour drive down from 'Frisco to see your boys play our Dodgers. And you D-Back fans in Phoenix, don't forget…"StanK is living proof that P.T. Barnum was wrong. You CAN fool all the people all the time. Look at StanK's resume…

I kinda agree with you, Drew. If Det and Burnett are as solid as their ST would indicate, that could leave Gorzy the odd man out. Stammen seems to have more lives than a cat, but I think he wins in this matchup

Drew said… Speaking of the bullpen, don't sleep on Craig Stammen. He's had a great spring: 10.2 innings pitched, 12 ks, 1 walk, 1.69 ERA, 0.75 whip.My prediction for mild surprise of the camp: Gorzy gets waived and Craig goes north. Stammen makes a lot more sense balancing Detwiler as a righty long man and spot starter. March 28, 2012 1:00 AM ________________________________I remember the discussion early in Spring Training of how Stammen came into camp as described looking larger especially in the rear end and legs. Best shape of his life?Watching the 30/30 special last night, they made a similar observation of Gio Gonzalez's lower body.

They missed losing Nix on the 30/30 preview too. That's actually looking like a big weakness unless Bernadina has learned to hit offspeed stuff or Ankiel's relaxed shoulders in his stance equal 40 points of batting average or something.